The Turf Supper Club

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We define dive bars as cave-like dens where day turns into night.

Dive bar décor usually features Naugahyde covered booths and bar stools, and in some cases, lava rock walls, or murals. All usually have some dimly lit spaces, a sound system like a juke box, good bartenders, and a special je ne sais quois that the newer bars cannot replicate. Dive bars also have much better drink prices than the newer bars.

We would like to add that dive bars are not scary bars nor are they places that are frequented by a rowdy clientele (with the exception of late nights on the weekends), rather, they are frequented by loyal regulars who take pride in their home away from home. For most of these bars, the regulars come in the morning and during the day while the younger patrons come in during the evening.

A number of these bars are actually located in close proximity to each other - we have grouped some of these bars together in case our readers wish to engage in a pub crawl. Naturally, we encourage our readers to take a taxi to ensure that you can thoroughly enjoy your experience and not put theirs or others lives at risk.

Suggested Pub Crawls

Middletown/Mission Hills

• The Aero Club (3365 India Street, Middletown) (619) 297-7211 - The Aero Club features an historic mural depicting San Diego's aeronautical past. Propellers are also used as decorative fixtures on the outside of the bar. The Aero Club prides itself on its very good selection of beers on tap (20 draft beers), a pool table, darts, a music system, free wireless, and a large window out to the street. However, there is no view per se as this part of India Street is a frontage road to the I-5.
• The Lamplighter (817 W. Washington, Mission Hills) (619) 298-3624 - Up the hill from the Aero Club is The Lamplighter, a fixture in Mission Hills for decades. Like some of the other dive bars in San Diego, the Lamplighter's morning patrons were the Italian and Portuguese fisherman who would end their work day at the bar. It was, and still is, a place to unwind with friends.

Hillcrest

Hillcrest's Nunu's

• Nunu's (3537 5th Avenue, Hillcrest) (619) 295-2878 - The dim light and the rocks imbedded into the walls are the first clue that you have entered Hillcrest's most authentic dive bar. Nunu's is a favorite spot for many of the residents that live and work in the area. In fact, Old Globe staffers have used this bar as their place to unwind after a hard day in Shakespeare's workshop. You do not have to settle with a bag of chips or peanuts at this bar, you can get a burger with fries. In can get a bit rowdy on the weekend so plan accordingly and come during the week. Nunu's clientele during the day are the 'ol guys' that have been going there for years. Evenings and weekends, you'll find the 'hip' retro-lovin' crowd partying it up.
• The Alibi (1403 University Avenue, Hillcrest) (619) 295-0881 - What a great name for a bar! This place has been serving stiff drinks for so many years, that it claims that it is the oldest bar in Hillcrest. It is open early and closes late. Over the years, it has changed its look to cater to a younger crowd but the feeling is the same. The Alibi is known for its pool room and also for its Big Dipper (a tall schooner of Bud).

Individual Bars

Pacific Shores (4927 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach) (619) 223-7549 - Ocean Beach is home to one of San Diego's most unique bars, the Pacific Shores or Pac Shores as it is known by the locals. The bar features an aquatic theme complete with a giant shell that covers the bar area. Black light illuminates the murals on the walls that feature treasures from the deep blue sea. Drinks are inexpensive and the mood of the place is quite spirited during happy hour and the evening. If you could only visit one dive bar in San Diego, this would be our pick for the most unique experience.

Red Fox

The Red Fox (2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park) (619) 297-1313 - The "Fox" is the stuff of old San Diego legends. It is attached to a hotel that used to be one of San Diego's "in" places for dining and dancing. The hotel was so "in", that Johnny Weissmuller (former Olympian and Tarzan) designed the pool. The Red Fox has weathered the storms of time, hotel name changes, demographics, economic slumps, and even a change in ownership. What is not known is if it will weather the winds of change that redevelopment will soon bring to its block. We hope so.

As for the clientele, regulars rule the roost. Many come daily and visit with friends and the bartenders. Some stay into the evening to listen to the live piano bar entertainment. Regulars also stay to dine at the restaurant which features good char-grilled prime rib, steaks and burgers.

The Turf Club (1116 25th Street, Golden Hill) (619) 234-6363 - This used to be a real dive bar until it was renovated some years back. The new owners renovated the old digs and did a remarkable job in maintaining the character of the place. The cocktails are pricey for a dive bar but the food is not. The crowd is hip but not trendy. Plan to go earlier than later if you plan to have a conversation with someone. The place gets jumping later at night, every night of the week.

The décor features many Naugahyde booths, a piano, great music, and best of all, a communal grill where you can grill your own steak. Their steak is from Iowa Meat Farms, one of San Diego's best sources of fresh meats. Don't be alarmed but the steak, chicken, and kabobs come to your table wrapped in plastic on a paper plate. Just walk over to the grill, place your piece of meat on the grill, toss the wrap and the plate and head back to your table. Once your meat is ready, place it on your plate and back to the table you go. It is actually a fun thing to do and people are always happy to help you out should you have any questions. Plenty of sauces are available for you to use so go for it!

The Turf Club was actually the inspiration for David and Lesley Cohn's successful restaurant, the Gaslamp Strip Club. However, the Turf Club is a much less expensive experience than the Gaslamp version so go to the real thing.

Tivoli Bar (506 6th Avenue, Downtown/Gaslamp) (619) 232-6754 - Just in time for baseball season. Forgo the trendier bars in the Gaslamp and head over to the very authentic downtown dive bar, the Tivoli. It boasts that it is the oldest bar in the Gaslamp and we do not dispute that. Like a number of San Diego's dive bars, the Tivoli is more attractive on the inside than it is on the outside. The staff is very friendly and will appreciate your business, especially during game days. It is located just 'round the corner from Petco Park so get your burger and beer here before you go in.

Waterfront (2044 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy) (619) 232-9656 - This is San Diego's oldest bar and it has achieved somewhat legendary status. How? The modern building above it was built around it. The developer and the community must have reached an understanding that no one was going to mess with The Waterfront. The bar features both inside and outside seating, free appetizers during happy hour, some of the best burgers in town, and cold, cold beer. The female bartenders are very good at their job and make sure to take care of their customers. The seating in the place actually goes way back just pass the help-yourself popcorn machine. The prices are reasonable for both drinks and food and it is quite the scene during happy hours and the weekends. Our favorite part about this bar is that all walks of life come to this place to relax, have a cold one, and have some fun.

University Heights/Kensington Pub Crawl The Lancer (4671 Park Boulevard, University Heights) (619) 298-5382
Kensington Club (4079 Adams Avenue, Kensington) (619) 284-2848